The Minnesota Vikings are currently 4-0 on the season and the way they have gotten there is more impressive than the record itself. They have a +57 point differential this season and haven't trailed in a game since the first quarter of the season opener.

The catalyst to the Vikings' success is twofold. On defense, Brian Flores has been tremendous in allowing 14.75 points per game and getting 17 sacks on the quarterback and forcing a multitude of turnovers. 

The other catalyst of success has been on offense where Kevin O'Connell has done a great job in resurrecting the career of one player.

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Sam Darnold should be NFC Offensive Player of the Month

The Vikings have been a great team this season with their quarterback Sam Darnold getting the credit for a good amount of it. He's been great in just about every situation, including becoming the first quarterback in Vikings history to have a passer rating of 100 or higher in each of the first four games of a season.

Darnold's play has his entire team believing in him, including O'Connell.

“You guys can feel it. The juice and the energy in here. The momentum in football is a serious thing. Plays that sometimes at different points in the game could look a whole different way. Momentum. The energy. I thought it was a pretty significant atmosphere, especially in that second half. Credit them for being down like they were, but their fanbase got it going. A lot of purple out there today as well, which I think we felt, especially throughout the day. I think just leaning into your quarterback. My confidence level in him is really high because he’s making some throws. The throw to Jordan (Addison) on the dagger there on the backside. Essentially, whether they had a double on Jets (Justin Jefferson) or not, it kind of played out like that. Progressing in rhythm. Big time moment in the game in getting that ball thrown and caught. I thought Jordan was huge coming back. I felt his impact, obviously. Speedy (Jalen Nailor) still making some plays out there. We had Josh Oliver catch a touchdown. I think that’s our sixth different player to catch a touchdown this year and we’re just continuing to stay true to who we want to be offensive, but our guys are handling great game plans that our coaching staff is putting together. Once again, when I walk out of here, nothing matters but the next one, which is a hell of a challenge going to London and playing a really good football team.” 

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It isn't just the energy that is palpable. Darnold is playing some of the best football in the entire National Football League. He leads the NFL in the following categories:

• Touchdown passes: 11 (only player in double digits)
• Passer rating: 118.9
• Longest pass: 97 yards
• Adjusted yards/attempt: 9.59
• Passing TD percentage: 10.4%

Those aren't the only good metrics Darnold has. He also ranks in the top 10 in the following areas:

• Passing yards: 932 (7th)
• Yards/attempt: 8.8 (2nd)
• Yards/completion: 12.8 (4th)
• Net yards/attempt: 7.49 (4th)
• Completion percentage: 68.9% (T-10th)
• QBR: 73.6 (3rd)

There isn't a single player in the NFL who has been as consistent as Darnold, who has thrown for at least two touchdowns in each game so far this season. You could maybe argue Saquon Barkley for the Philadelphia Eagles, but they have lost two games and got throttled by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past weekend.

The only real competition might be Darnold's teammate in Justin Jefferson. He has a touchdown in each of the first four games and has been the catalyst to their success. However, Darnold has been getting it done without Jefferson, including that pass he rifled into Jalen Nailor in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers.

When the award gets announced later this week, Darnold should come away with the award.

Justin Jefferson comes through in a big way to highlight Vikings studs and duds vs. Packers

The Vikings fought hard to pull this off